I’m biased. And so are you

DIVERSITY SPECIALIST SASHA SCOTT EXPLAINS WHY WE NEED TO TACKLE BIAS AT WORK – AND HOW CHOCOLATE CAN HELP

TACKLING BIAS

When you think of a bias, what do you immediately associate it with? Prejudice, discrimination, ignorance? Those adjectives are predominately negative. We see bias through a window – it’s over there – it’s not here. It’s not how we behave.

Wrong. If you are human then you are biased, and that’s a fact. But that’s not always a bad thing. Bias is actually useful in many situations and without these biases we wouldn’t be able to function. Bias is there to protect us and keep us safe. In fact, we all have at least 150 cognitive biases (according to Daniel Khaneman’s book, Thinking Fast And Slow) but bias is something we observe in other people, not in ourselves, and we struggle to accept we are so riddled with bias because we feel ashamed to admit we may be prejudiced and irrational. I personally have multiple biases – and I help people reduce bias for a living. No, the irony isn’t lost on me!

About DIVA Magazine

We are delighted to have singer songwriter Lucy Spraggan on the cover of our 250th issue, talking to Roxy Bourdillon about music, marriage and adulting like a boss. Read our interview, and don’t forget to check out our exclusive behind the scenes video and some extra shots from our shoot in east London.
Also in this special anniversary issue…
DIVA Awards: The winners!
Looking back at 23 years of lez/bi life
DIVA columnists Heather Peace and Jane Hill reflect on the how their lives have changed since coming out
Beyond the trans tipping point: Cerian Jenkins on non-binary inclusivity
Alynda Lee Segarra: “It took me a while to get down with Beyoncé”
Interviews with Stella Duffy, Lisa Gornick and Ruth Hunt
Get into gear: Top 10 rides 2017
Lets get quizzical: We test your brainpower with our LGBTeasers
PLUS: Family, career and much, much more!